Getting good grades in school can open many doors for your teen, like getting scholarships and acceptance into a great college. However, pressure to achieve high marks can be counterproductive if stress takes a toll on your teen’s mental, emotional and physical health. Approximately 68% of teens feel pressure to get good grades. Recognizing the signs of academic pressure can help you step in and support your teen when they need it most.
At Lightfully, our licensed clinical therapists understand how stressful school success can feel for teens, and we can teach your teen coping skills to alleviate the pressure.
Let’s explore common signs of academic pressure and how you can help your teen.
5 signs of academic pressure
Everyday stress may cause teens to become overwhelmed or unhappy with their lives. If they’re feeling anxiety about performing their best at school, there are several indicators that may appear. Here are the signs of academic pressure that may be affecting your teen’s well-being:
1. Increased anxiety, irritability or mood swings
Feeling stressed about getting good grades, passing a test and completing heavy workloads can raise stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. As a result, their bodies can enter “fight-or-flight” mode, making it harder to feel relaxed. Over time, the pressure to do well in school may lead to them feeling on edge and emotional.
2. Withdrawal from friends and family
If your teen is stressed over their grades, school or workload, they could find it more difficult to interact with others. They may end up isolating themselves as a way to cope with academic pressure. Your teen may be experiencing burnout and might withdraw to conserve their energy.
3. Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes
Academic pressure can cause your teen to have high, unrealistic expectations about their performance. This can lead to self-criticism, anxiety and stress over being perfect. Students who are afraid of failure may allow their fear to cause them to procrastinate, or they may overwork and drain themselves.
4. Physical symptoms without a clear cause
If your teen is in a state of fight or flight, they may be experiencing some physical side effects without a medical condition. These potential indicators of academic pressure include headaches, feeling short of breath, changes in appetite and sleep disruption. Chronic stress may affect the immune system, making your teen more susceptible to physical illness.
5. Disengagement from academics
Sometimes when students feel overwhelmed or burned out from school, they begin to disengage. They may delay making progress on their assignments or avoid them altogether as a way to manage academic pressure. If these emotions aren’t addressed, your teen’s grades may decline.
How you can help your teen
As a parent, there are many strategies you can try to support your teen if they are experiencing academic stress. Create a safe space where your teen feels free to talk, and try to listen without judgment. Simply opening up about their feelings can be a great way for them to alleviate their pressure to do well in school. You can also support your teen by encouraging them to take breaks from their schoolwork and balance their schedule to prevent overexertion. Make sure they eat well and get eight to 10 hours of sleep. These healthy habits can help them manage their daily challenges more effectively and focus better in school. You can let your teen know that trying their best matters more than perfection, and one bad grade doesn’t define their worth.
Lightfully can help your teen manage stress and build resilience
Many teens feel the weight of doing well in school and how that can affect their future. Now that you know the common signs of stress to watch for, you can recognize them sooner and give your teen the support they need. Encouraging open, honest communication and healthy habits can help make a tremendous difference in their well-being. It’s also important for them to set realistic goals, knowing that doing their best is more achievable than perfection. If you think your teen needs professional support, it’s OK to reach out for help.
At Lightfully, our deeply compassionate, licensed clinical therapists can help your teen work to alleviate academic pressure that may be affecting their mental well-being. We provide evidence-based, whole-person-centered care that addresses the underlying causes of stress, so your teen can focus on becoming the best version of themselves. Our multiple levels of care include a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
Our PHP is one step below Residential Treatment. This highly specialized, structured level of care involves full days of programming during the day and allows your teen to return home each night. Our IOP is a great option for teens who have moderate to severe symptoms. The program provides a bit more intensive support than they can receive through regular outpatient therapy sessions.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your teen.
